Network Acoustics Muon ethernet filtering system - Improving streaming sound quality

I got the the Muon PRO streaming System this past Friday. I am so impressed, I couldn’t help but post an update here. I am totally aware some break in is required, but it totally transformed my listening experience right of the box. I am personally a big believer in first impressions: if something makes a positive difference brand new out of the box, it will work great down the road, and if I am struggling to hear any differences at the beginning, I will continue to struggle hearing them, and likely it will not work. That’s just me. Yes, sometimes things improve with burn in, change, progress with continuous playback, but not to the extent of reversing my initial impressions entirely.

My streaming chain is: Verizon FIOS router G3100 (gigabit service) in the living room upstairs— downstairs where the audio system is the Verizon E3200 Extender via MoCA —- Ediscreation Silent Switch OCXO Extreme version —- Muon PRO (the captive leg to the Switch, 1.5 Meter Muon PRO Ethernet cable to Innuos ZENith MK3 —- USB out to DAC.

I have been interested for years now on Network Acoustics products, since the beginning with ENO, but never got around to try anything, until now. I have been communicating with Rob Osbourn of NA all this time, extremely patient guy who never pushes anything to you. Extremely pleased with his technical knowledge as well, including his generosity with his time writing emails to me.

@lalitk : it is interesting to read a reference to a Network Acoustics “tempus” Ethernet Switch in the inserts/ material that came with my Muon PRO System. Not sure if this is new, or some type of previous Switch NA had, but it was there.

By the way, extremely fast free FedEx Express shipping. It literally took two days to arrive at my doorstep here in East Coast US from UK.

@thyname

I can’t say I’m surprised with Muon Pro transformation in your high resolution system. With all the high praises, I am also tempted to test Muon Pro against my Telegartner M12 Gold switch. One thing I just learned (after reading your comment), NA has reversed the flow of signal with Muon Pro. ENO with captive cord end always plugged into streamer but with Muon Pro, you now have an option to use Muon Pro LAN or your choice of LAN cable. I actually prefer this and really applaud @richtruss forward thinking. This gives end users complete flexibility to further tailor the sound.

Tempus, interesting choice of name for a Ethernet switch is their upcoming switch that replacing older switch which was discontinued due to supply issues.

One thing I just learned (after reading your comment), NA has reversed the flow of signal with Muon Pro. ENO with captive cord end always plugged into streamer but with Muon Pro, you now have an option to use Muon Pro LAN or your choice of LAN cable.

Yes, markings in the unit are clear for this, as well as the user manual instructions. Rob had also confirmed to me before the purchase. To be fair, and that’s just my theory, this decision MAY also be a marketing move to “nudge” people to buy the System instead of just the Filter. Often people prefer to use the same cable on both ends, same company and tier. Myself included, so this move worked in making me buy the system instead of saving money and just buying the Filter 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️. Just my theory. All said, the 1.5 meter Ethernet cable that came with my system seems substantial and very, very well made! Eventually, over the next several weeks I will experiment with reversing the connection to my Innuos ZENith MK3, but for now I am enjoying my music with it as is.

@lalitk I just sent you a picture of the user manual for Muon PRO with the Tempus reference in the last page…

As for this:

With all the high praises, I am also tempted to test Muon Pro against my Telegartner M12 Gold switch.

… Or perhaps In addition to your Switch? Downstream from it

Thanks for sharing @thyname - I am glad the muon Pro is sounding good in your system.

Am I correct in understanding that your positive comments are based on the muon Pro being your first Network Acoustics product, and not an upgrade from the muon (non-Pro) or eno?  Network Acoustics initially implied the muon Pro was intended for the professional ’studio’ market and streamers that require Gigabit (i.e., 1,000 Mbps) Ethernet.  They designed their eno and muon (non-pro) for 100 Mb Ethernet as I found out when I had to purchase 100 Mb fiber converters to use with my eno since it would not work with the 1,000 Mbps converters that I had at the time.  A switch took care of that but the network cable feeding the eno and later the muon in my system is clearly operating at the lower 100 Mbps speed based on the amber and not green light on my switch.

I am curious why folks are reporting such an improvement from the muon to the muon Pro when NA and others here indicate 100 Mbps should be plenty fast for our audio streaming.  Anyone have an idea about that?  I am considering purchasing the muon Pro based on the many positive reviews here but I am getting a little worn out buying small boxes.  Any of you here upgrade from muon to the muon Pro and, if so, can you share your oservations on the upgrade?

@mitch2 :

Am I correct in understanding that your positive comments are based on the muon Pro being your first Network Acoustics product, and not an upgrade from the muon (non-Pro) or eno?

That’s correct. I had never owned or tried any Network Acoustics products before. The Muon PRO System is my very first NA product. I had inquired and researched the previous versions (I.e ENO), but had not pulled the trigger.

And yes, I had confirmed and proved to myself everything in my chain is gigabit compatible and capable, prior to purchase of PRO, although I personally do not believe going from 100 MBPS to Gigabit makes much difference for audio at all. I could be wrong in my beliefs of course…